Her name was Rachel Wake. She was killed on Christmas Day.

This post deals with violence against women and might be triggering for some readers.

At lunchtime on Christmas Day, 52-year-old Rachel Wake was killed.

Rachel was allegedly stabbed to death in her Hobart home by a man known to her, Darren Mark Wake, 60. Both of their children were at home during the ordeal.

Police have confirmed the two teenage children are physically uninjured but in significant distress, support services are being provided to them.

Police officers responding to reports of a stabbing found Rachel in a serious condition with upper body injuries. She was taken to Royal Hobart Hospital, where she later died.

Rachel is the 43rd Australian woman killed by violence in 2021. She leaves behind daughter Romany and son Gabriel.

Watch: Women And Violence: The Hidden Numbers. Post continues below.

Darren Mark Wake appeared in an out-of-hours session of the Hobart Magistrates Court on Sunday and was charged with murder. He was remanded in custody and did not enter a plea and did not apply for bail. The matter is due for court in January 2022.

Rachel was a registered nurse and midwife, who was "committed to her work, passionate about caring for other women at their most vulnerable moments".

A GoFundMe page has also been set up for Rachel's children, tributes pouring in for the mother of two, remembering her as "the kindest soul".

Fundraising organiser and colleague Hannah Chapman wrote, "Tragically the life of a beautiful woman was violently taken in Hobart on Christmas Day, in front of her teenage children. Her surviving daughter Romany has given consent for this fund to be shared far and wide so that her beloved Mum’s story can be known around the world.

"Her teenage children have experienced a great trauma and a huge loss." 

So far, the GoFundMe has raised well over $50,000 for her two children, helping them to rebuild their lives.

#HERNAMEIS RACHEL WAKE

The epidemic of men’s violence continues. 52-year-old Rachel Wake was killed on Christmas Day in Hobart. She was a mum and midwife, adored by her community and patients. A 60-year-old man known to her has been charged with murder. Devastating beyond words. pic.twitter.com/szcboWrV4s

— Tarang / तरंग (@tarang_chawla) December 26, 2021

Rachel Wake’s teenage children watched the male perpetrator allegedly kill their mother. He has been charged with her murder.

On Xmas Day.

Tell me again how male violence is not a thing.

Tell me again that #FamilyViolence is not a national crisis in this country. pic.twitter.com/m6L7fth1sZ

— Liana Papoutsis (@lpapoutsis) December 26, 2021

Another life lost. Rachel Wake. I can’t find the words to express how devastating it is to see another woman’s life taken. The way she was taken, this should not be happening #EnoughIsEnough pic.twitter.com/u2fzcYxZL2

— Claudia Zappia 🩰🎭🎧🎤❤️‍🩹 (@Claudia_Zappia) December 26, 2021

Many of the donors include parents supported by Rachel during the births of their own children.

One father wrote, "Rachel helped and cared for [my partner] Willo on the maternity ward (March 2021) when we nearly lost our baby girl. You touched our baby daughter Billie and bought life back to her whilst comforting Willo. You stood tall in the face of adversity and never faltered at being the mother of two exceptional children. As a woman and a mother, what you stood for will not go unheard."

Another parent wrote, "Rachel supported Ben and myself through miscarriages and the birth of our two boys. Our first was born prem. We spent a month in the Special Care Nursery with Rachel and lots of conversations were had about her love for her children. She was kind, patient and very understanding. There are few people in this world that you meet and leave a lasting impression, Rachel was one of them."

Listen to The Quicky: The archaic law that allows men to explain away murder. Post continues after audio.

Another woman shared how Rachel was the midwife for three of her children. "Our hearts are aching. She always treated our family with such kindness, a fantastic midwife who always spoke about her own children with love. Rachel, we are so privileged to have you as a part of our most precious journey."

One retired state police officer also wrote, "I still cannot fathom the hatred in some men’s hearts. Our loving thoughts go out to the two children. I hope the Judge remembers what her children were put through. May she rest in peace. I hope the perpetrator has no peace."

There are over 43 known victims of violence against women in Australia as of this year alone, according to the tally kept by feminist activist group Destroy the Joint.

In the last month, three women have died as a result of gender-based violence.

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On December 6, emergency services were called to a caravan park near Wangaratta Victoria after receiving reports a woman had been fatally injured. Ambulance crews were unable to revive Carmen Niklaus, 40. An unnamed man known to Carmen was taken into custody and charged with murder. 

On December 5, emergency services were called to Riverwood in New South Wales, where they found Lydia Gacuma, 67, with multiple stab wounds to her torso and back. She died at the scene. Lydia was described as having impaired mobility and was using a walking frame. After a short search of the area, police arrested Mahmoud Eleter, 24, and charged him with murder. The man was not known to the victim. 

On November 27, emergency services were called to an apartment in Southport, Queensland. Mary Benedito, 25, was found unresponsive and was transported to ICU with critical injuries. Mary died in hospital. Her ex-partner and the father of her 11-month-old son, was arrested and charged with murder. 

A GoFundMe page has been set up by Rachel's family, the money raised to go towards her two children. You can contribute here.

If this post brings up any issues for you, or if you just feel like you need to speak to someone, please call 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) – the national sexual assault, domestic and family violence counselling service. It doesn’t matter where you live, they will take your call and, if need be, refer you to a service closer to home.

You can also call safe steps 24/7 Family Violence Response Line on 1800 015 188 or visit www.safesteps.org.au for further information.

Feature Image: Facebook.